General Attorney (Information and Privacy Law)

Immigration and Customs Enforcement • Washington, DC

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The General Attorney (Information and Privacy Law) will join the Government Information Law Division (GILD) within the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Office of the Principal Legal Advisor (OPLA). GILD attorneys provide fast-paced legal advice and guidance to ICE program offices on disclosure of agency information within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and to external entities. This is an in-person position, and one or more positions may be filled.

Attorneys support agency compliance with the Freedom of Information Act, the Privacy Act of 1974, the E-Government Act of 2002, the Federal Records Act of 1950, and the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. GILD adjudicates administrative FOIA appeals and assists U.S. Attorneys’ Offices in defending information-related litigation under FOIA, the Privacy Act, and the Administrative Procedure Act. Attorneys also engage with local law enforcement regarding state sunshine laws and information disclosure, coordinate responses to agency information requests, respond to congressional inquiries, and review information-sharing agreements with external agencies.

Selected attorneys will take on significant responsibilities immediately and are expected to develop persuasive, legally supportable positions responsive to agency operational needs. They will routinely provide timely legal opinions to ICE officers and agents, division management, and leadership within OPLA, ICE, and the DHS Office of the General Counsel Headquarters. The position has promotion potential to GS-15, though future promotion is not guaranteed.

Requirements

• Active membership in good standing of the bar of a U.S. state, U.S. territory, the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
• Graduate of an accredited law school with a Juris Doctor (J.D.) or LL.M. degree.
• Ability to efficiently produce quality legal analyses of complex and novel issues.
• Sound legal and professional judgment.
• Ability to prioritize competing assignments and work effectively independently, as part of a team, and across work units.
• Detail-oriented, with a strong interest in providing excellent client service to program offices, including law enforcement officers, policymakers, attorneys, and agency senior leadership.
• Ability to tailor communications to the audience.
• Ability to take initiative and work reliably, decisively, and professionally.
• Organizational skills, decisiveness, initiative, and superior written and oral advocacy skills.
• Successful completion of a background investigation and drug screen; selected applicants must obtain and maintain a Secret-level security clearance.
• Meet all requirements by the announcement closing date.
• Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must certify Selective Service registration.
• May be required to serve a two-year trial period if the requirement has not already been met.

Nice To Haves

• Veterans’ preference eligibility is considered a positive factor in attorney hiring.
• A student loan repayment incentive may be available if authorized.

Responsibilities

• Advise ICE program offices on disclosure of agency information within DHS and to external entities.
• Support ICE compliance with FOIA, the Privacy Act of 1974, the E-Government Act of 2002, the Federal Records Act of 1950, and the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.
• Adjudicate administrative FOIA appeals.
• Assist U.S. Attorneys’ Offices in defending information-related litigation under FOIA, the Privacy Act, and the Administrative Procedure Act.
• Engage with local law enforcement regarding state sunshine laws and disclosure of information.
• Coordinate responses to agency requests for information.
• Respond to congressional inquiries.
• Review ICE information-sharing agreements with external agencies.
• Craft persuasive, legally supportable positions addressing the needs of agency operational components.
• Provide timely legal opinions to ICE officers and agents, division management, and leadership within OPLA, ICE, and DHS Office of the General Counsel Headquarters.

Benefits

• Federal employees and their families have access to a comprehensive benefits package.
• A student loan repayment incentive may be available if authorized.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree